Drop it Low

Having spent most of my teenage years pouring myself into a pair of spray-on, high-waisted Topshop Joni jeans (iykyk), I never thought I’d see the day I don any denim that drops below my belly button. High-waisted shorts, rib-grazing skirts, and compression-couture jeans meant my stomach didn't surface for at least a few years. Despite my adolescent dedication to sky-high waistbands, gentle reader, I must say I now write to you from the other side of the sartorial spectrum. Whether it’s my frontal lobe developing or my easily swayed nature, I must confess that the grass is, in fact, greener.

Living in these strange and unusual times, the trend cycle’s annoying reliability is a phenomenon we can perhaps find comfort in; like most styles we thought were banished for good, they have a funny way of returning with a vengeance. Gentle reader, whether you were prepared for it or not, the low-rise trend is back, and there’s no running from it now. From street style snaps to runway moments, waistbands are dropping at a rapid rate, and much to my younger self’s horror, I am totally on board for this dramatic shift. 

Drawing inspiration from the early noughties pop princesses, the low-rise revival has been spearheaded by Gen-Z’s enduring obsession with all things Y2K. Referencing Britney’s low-slung kick flares or Destiny’s Child’s hip-hugging waistbands, it’s no wonder we’re witnessing a resurgence when we’ve got all this great material to work with! The pop girls of today are putting their own spin on it, with Addison Rae recently spotted wearing a pair of light blue low-rise jeans paired with some sweet cream and black t-bar Mary Janes. Model and It-Girl, Gabbriette donned a pair of relaxed fit jeans, piared with an oversied shirt. While the low-rise trend might stem from noughties nostalgia, the girls today are elevating it with their favourite trends of today. While Britney may have rocked the low-slung look with a teeny tiny crop top and heels, we’re noticing a more casually feminine approach to the trend. Slouchy, hip-hugging pants paired with cute ballet flats and a leather jacket embody that perfect off-duty, Sunday mornings in Soho vibe and are a testament to the low-rise trend’s high/low styling opportunities.

As we approach Spring and Summer (thank goodness for that), I’m reminded of all the low-rise Easter eggs that were scattered throughout the SS25 runways. With a somewhat sleazy history, low-rise certainly used to raise some eyebrows, and the trend was more likely to be spotted outside a club than on a runway in Paris. Thankfully, times have changed, and brands have taken a more elevated approach to this divisive trend. Burberry’s SS25 show debuted nova-check cargo pants, slung low on the hips, paired with a cropped trench that fanned out at the collar. In Paris, Chanel’s SS25 hip-hugging pieces were the antithesis of the trend’s aforementioned sleazy history. A powder blue tweed skirt suit sat just below the belly button, styled with a delicate pearly waist chain. Meanwhile, a pale pink and yellow chiffon co-ord featured a light slip worn over a pair of cheeky shorts, exposing a soupçon of midriff and ultimately catapulting the trend into a more sophisticated plane.

 The SS25 runways laid the foundation for a low-slung Summer, but the AW25 collections confirmed that this trend may be sticking around a little longer yet. Alaïa’s architectural offerings sat low on the hips, with fringed skirts in mustard and taupe adding movement and exposing a tasteful amount of midriff. David Koma’s Blumarine debut latched onto the brand’s classic codes, featuring slouchy jeans and supple leather trousers crafted to sit low on the hips and topped with embellished belts. Chemena Kamali’s SS25 collection for Chloé showcased flowing low-rise skirts paired with coquettish milkmaid blouses. Kamali’s signature bohemian aesthetics embodied the languid air of the low-rise, transforming the typically Y2K trend into a 70s dream.

On the cobbled streets of fashion capitals and the catwalks we were all flocking to, low-rise skirts, dress trousers, and jeans were spread as far as the eye can see. Fiercely à la mode (as always) and genuinely relishing in the non-constrictive comfort, my own LFW wardrobe was defined by a beloved pair of grey, vintage low-rise kick flares. Paired with some flats to run between shows and a pointed heeled boot to shift the look into after-party-ready, the elongating silhouette combined with added comfort ensured foolproof Fashion with a capital F. Of course, the runways offered a myriad of high-end low-rise options, but Depop and Vinted are packed with some great second-hand and vintage finds. The best thing about dipping into a trend that was outlawed from society for a few years is that resale sites are full of fab options for great prices. So while your mum may have ditched all her low-rise beauties as soon as we hit 2014, I think you could snap them back up for a pretty good deal if you comb through the charity shops or hit the car boot on a Sunday morning.

While I thought I had resigned myself as a woman with high standards and high-waisted style, it appears that as I’ve grown up, neither of those things has rung true. So, gentle reader, if I have convinced you to make the switch, shop our personal picks of low-rise goodies below; and if you're still on the fence, I suggest you get comfortable because it looks like this trend is here to stay.